Publications

Being able to describe

By: Nina Edge

Nina Edge on her portfolio career.

I enjoy making things now as ever. The process allows the invention of worlds, and presentation of ideas which otherwise remain locked in the mind. When I was a child I realised the things I drew and made attracted attention and brought me special status. What I made was valued – by other children and by adults. The notion of becoming an artist didn’t really exist in my village school, although craft skills were quite deeply valued in a rural community. At high school I opted for any subject that involved making, but perversely became indignant that my French teacher saw me as working in art and design. Despite claiming I was fascinated by everything in the world, and could pursue any career, I failed to apply myself properly to most subjects. I probably did well at art, ceramics and English because I had a facility in these areas that meant I could succeed despite exerting little effort. Anything which I could see no immediate use for I ignored. I was later to regret this combination of laziness and arrogance which has led to school students supporting my practice by filling in some gaps, providing me for example with mathematical formulae as I need them. My O-level...

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